The first couple with Down syndrome to be married in the UK celebrate 25 years of marriage, 1995

The first couple with Down syndrome to be married in the UK celebrate 25 years of marriage, 1995

Despite being told not to and being criticized for their choice, Tommy and Maryanne Pilling got married in 1995. They were the first couple with Down Syndrome to get married in Britain, which is a huge historic event in the saga of love. Many doubted that a couple with many medical conditions could have a happy and sustainable marriage. ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Down Syndrome is a genetic condition in which people can be born the intellectual, educational, and physical disabilities. People with the condition are expected to live to approximately 40 years of age. People with Down Syndrome are warm, friendly, and caring people who make the world go around. The couple have been married for 25 years. Maryanne met Tommy in a day center, and in an interview, Maryanne's sister had this to say: ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ “She doesn’t remember a life before Tommy. “The day she met him, she had the biggest smile on her face and she couldn’t stop talking about him.” They shared nothing but kisses and hugs. Tommy proposed to Maryanne with a plastic ring he got from a vending machine, and she immediately said yes. Sadly, on January 1st, 2021, Tommy died at the age of 61 from COVID-19. When asked how she felt about his passing, Maryanne said, "he comes to me in my dreams." ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ Despite pressure from society, limitations of their conditions, and other challenges against them, these two wonderful people showed that anyone can marry their sweetheart, no matter what you are born with or how people see you. Nothing can stop love. Photographer: Unknown Source: Guardian